"Two are better than one, because they have a good return for their work: If one falls down, his friend can help him up. But pity the man who falls and has no one to help him up!" -Ecclesiastes 4:9-10

Sunday, October 26, 2008

The REAL Change

Man oh man...am I the only one who is ready for this election season to be over?...I mean every other commercial I see is paid for by somebody and it's getting old! Now, I am all for some change around here and I have my pick on who I think should do it, but that's not all we should be focused on.

Our pastor at Elevation started the first week of many on a series called "The Real Change" and let me tell you, if you're looking for some hope in your life...this is where you'll find it!

This morning he said some great words of encouragement that really breathed life into Adam and I and also challenged us as Christians. You can listen to the whole thing by clicking here. Anyway, all that's being said and everything you hear is, "CHANGE, CHANGE, CHANGE"! Pastor told us this morning that if we want change, the real change will start in you! The body of Christ has to come together and react to things for the better, not just sit back and say, "Well, I'm voting for Jesus and I'm waiting for Him to come back". Well folks, you can say that as much as you want, but the fact of the matter is election day is coming whether we like it or not and we as Christians have to stand up and SHINE! Pastor also said, "the darker it gets, the brighter we shine" and let me tell you, it is pretty dark out there and we have the greatest opportunity right now to shine hope to the world.

And since the economy is the pits right now, it gives the church no excuse to back down from anything it was doing in the first place. For example, Elevation partners with 4 different charitable organizations within the city and gives 10% of their yearly income to them. Elevation is not only going to keep giving to those organizations, but they are partnering with 16 other organizations to provide help during this economic and financial crisis. I believe that is a perfect example of how the church doesn't need to sit around and do nothing...we need to come together along side our community and show the love of Christ and the hope we have in Him.

So, to the whole 2, maybe 3 readers I have, I personally want to challenge you to shine your light on this dark world and provide hope to the ones who are lost. "You are the salt of the earth. But if the salt loses its saltiness, how can it be made salty again? It is no longer good for anything, except to be thrown out and trampled by men. You are the light of the world. A city on a hill cannot be hidden. Neither do people light a lamp and put it under a bowl. Instead they put it on its stand, and it gives light to everyone in the house. In the same way, let your light shine before men, that they may see your good deeds and praise your Father in heaven." Matthew 5:13-16